Inside the New York Yankees clubhouse with MLB.com beat writer Bryan Hoch.

Gardner pulled with sore thumb

BALTIMORE – Yankees outfielder Brett Gardner was removed from Tuesday’s 12-7 victory over the Orioles with soreness in his left thumb.

Gardner said that he felt a sensation after a check-swing in his sixth-inning at-bat against Kevin Millwood, and again while hitting in the seventh inning. Gardner said that he has felt similar twinges on and off since breaking the thumb last July.

“It’s just sore,” Gardner said. “I don’t really know. When [the broken thumb] happened, they said it probably wouldn’t feel right for close to a year, and it’s been like 11 months.

“Occasionally I feel it every now and then, and it’s not that bad. It was a little worse today so I mentioned something to them. It’s better to be safe than sorry.”

Gardner was replaced by pinch-hitter Marcus Thames in the eighth inning. Yankees manager Joe Girardi said that Gardner has mentioned the injury numerous times and it has never prompted the speedster to miss action.

“I figured it was a chance to get Marcus an at-bat, and I’m not taking a chance at something that lingers,” Girardi said. “Hopefully it isn’t. Hopefully it’s fine [Wednesday].”

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